The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 23, 1988
Filed:
Sep. 25, 1986
John L Sanok, Grosse Ile, MI (US);
Michael L Piechura, Detroit, MI (US);
Sheller Globe Corp., Toledo, OH (US);
Abstract
A composite molded article and a method of fabricating such an article is disclosed, which is especially well-suited for forming one-piece interior vehicle panels, by way of a single molding operation, wherein the one-piece interior panel can be easily installed as a unit within the vehicle. In the fabrication of the one-piece molded composite article, a deformable sheet material, such as vinyl, is positioned on a female molding surface and drawn into conformity with the female molding surface of the mold cavity, either with or without preheating or vacuum forming. The mold apparatus is closed and a first moldable material is introduced into the mold assembly, with certain predetermined portions thereof being blocked off. Subsequently, a second moldable material is introduced at least into the predetermined areas previously blocked off during the introduction of the first moldable material. By such a process, the one-piece molded article can be fabricated essentially in a single integrated operation, as a one-piece structure, while maintaining the capability of providing various materials or various characteristics at different locations on the one-piece article.